Rate my drums'n'bass

[Ermz]

So I got given this EP track to mix by a local band. I've been having trouble putting together a coherent mix, so I've taken it down into parts and just focused on drums and bass for the time being, trying to get them relatively fat sounding.

Here is what I have so far: http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/285689/Orgism.mp3

Essentially what I was aiming for was a Behemoth 'Demigod' sort of natural ambiance but punchy drums kind of deal. When I realized that wasn't going to happen with these tracks, I just did the best that I could.

The drums were recorded in a VERY small space, and not in an optimal way, so a ton of sample replacement was necessary. Kick is 100%, Snare is 20% (tried to keep it rawer as I like the snare they used), Toms are 80%.

So by all means give me your feedback. I know it's hard to picture the mix without the guitars in there, but maybe just tell me what you think of it as it is!

 

[Morgan C]

I can't really comment on the bass as I don't know enough about mixing them.

For the drums... the toms sound REALLY sample replaced. I don't mind the ring on the snare but he's pretty inconsistent with where he hits, sometimes theres a lot of ring, sometimes theres none, so I'd get rid of it (surgical EQ around 400-900Hz, usually theres 3 spots). I would also put some more high-end on it, and perhaps compress it a bit more, but its hard to tell without guitars, and I'm not used to what you mix like. The kick needs some more oomph, its got a pretty nice high-end and low-end, but there's no mids. I guess guitars usually fill that up, but listening now I'd prefer more mids, but thats more taste I think.

 

[Ola Englund]

I think it sounds great. The drums sound pretty natural to me. I would really like to hear it with guitars.

Maybe I would prefer a little more squashed snare sound. It sounds good but it doesn't really hit you in the face(and that's how I want it)

But overall it sounds really nice!

 

[poidaobi]

For the drums... the toms sound REALLY sample replaced.

:Smug:

...a ton of sample replacement was necessary...Toms are 80%.

Still I don't they sound too out of place.

Actually very nice.

 

[Ermz]

Thanks guys.

Agreed about the toms sounding very replaced. I think that's something I can get away with once the guitars are grinding away though. There's really no other way about it, sadly (take it from a guy who loathes sampling toms!).

I'll see what I can do about that snare. I've already cut a little bit from the ringy frequencies, but given his inconsistent hitting I'm either sucking out too much life, or not enough ring. I'm about to ask whether the guy who tracked the drums sampled the original snare, so I can get some proper hits from it.

@Goddamn Guitar & poidaobi: I'm glad that you guys seem to like it for the most part so far. I'm not sure how sold on it I am. There is just something off about them, even after I spent ages trying all kinds of different parallel compression settings, ambiances, samples etc. I hope it all pulls together in the final mix.

Keep the critiques coming guys! Thank you.

 

[KeithTidd]

i think the toms sound pretty natural actually. the snare could use a ton of work though.

 

[Morgan C]

Any chance you could post up the snare/OH tracks, or all of the drum tracks? I'd like to have a go at it, I've got a lot of spare time atm, and if it helps you thats a bonus ;p

 

[Ermz]

I'll check with the band about posting it as a mix competition after the vocals are done, and I've done my full mix for em. Thank you for the offer, but I'm fairly confident I can sort it out for the time being.